The photovoltaic energy produced is used for the farm's self-supply, thus reducing electricity consumption and achieving greater efficiency in irrigation.
When we talk about intensive agriculture, the first thing that comes to mind is the large expanse of greenhouses that occupies a large part of the province of Almeria, where the most important greenhouses are concentrated. systems agricultural most productive and, at the same time, the most committed to the planet.
Now the innovation wants to go one step further: that these same greenhouses, in addition to producing food, also produce electricity.
More than 35,000 hectares of greenhouses produce tomatoes, peppers, zucchinis, eggplants and cucumbers all year round. They supply millions of consumers all over Europe and, with more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per yearThe new facilities have become the ideal place for agricultural research and innovation.
The application of technology to greenhouses has been key from the beginning in Almeria's agriculture. This has made it possible to achieve greater efficiency and profitability, favor biological control, reduce the water and carbon footprint, and consolidate the image of Almeria as a benchmark in innovation and sustainability.
The Dynamic AquaSave project
In this line, "Dynamic AquaSave"a project promoted by the University of Almeria in conjunction with the company Greenhouse Sweeperthe CDTI, Tecnalia and the UAL-ANECOOP Foundation.
The concept agrivoltaic seeks to integrate agriculture y energy solar in the same space, so that the electricity generated will be a product more of agricultural activity.
These greenhouses allow the production of food y electricity at the same time thanks to transparent or semi-transparent solar panels installed on the roof. These protect the crop and generate energy, optimizing water use, stabilizing the microclimate and producing electricity.
Diego Luis ValeraProfessor of Engineering at the UAL, explains: "It is a pioneering project because it integrates, in the same system, photovoltaic generation and dynamic shading governed by algorithms, something that is not commercially available today.."
Technology and artificial intelligence in the field
The greenhouse agrivoltaic works with steerable solar panels that act as an "active shade". A control algorithm calculates minute by minute the optimal position based on time, location and weather conditions.
This system achieves greater water and energy efficiency: less evapotranspiration, more precise irrigation, less dependence on electricity and up to 30% of water savings without reducing yield.
In addition, artificial intelligence is being developed that can accurately predict the date and kilos of harvest before harvesting, thus optimizing water and nutrients in real time.
Past and sustainable future
The province of Almeria concentrates 83% of the greenhouse area in Andalusia (33,400 hectares out of a total of 40,304). This agriculture has been able to turn its limitations into competitive advantages, leading innovation, circular economy and digitalization.
Biological control is already present in 80% of the cultivated area and 100% of peppers, with almost 5,000 hectares in organic production.
Solar energy is also used in water management, with examples such as the floating photovoltaic plant on the Abellán reservoir, which will reduce costs and benefit 150 irrigators on 800 hectares.
These advances not only improve sustainability, but also make agriculture attractive to young people thanks to technology, robotics, sensor technology and the connection between university, business and society.
In the words of Valera: "I want a more productive, cleaner and better valued agriculture, recognized by society as an engine of progress that cares for water, energy and biodiversity, while competing on a level playing field with third countries thanks to its technological and environmental excellence."
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